Apparatus and method for raising fish and/or shellfish

ABSTRACT

A stable apparatus and method for raising fish and/or shellfish. An aquarium ( 12 ) contains pearl oysters and breeding water. A decomposition treating bath ( 19 ) is supplied with water from the breeding aquarium for decomposing excretion of the pearl oysters produced in the breeding aquarium. As a result, purified decomposition-treated water is produced in the decomposition treating bath. A feed culture bath ( 23 ) cultures a feed liquid for the pearl oysters. The feed culture bath is supplied with the decomposition-treated water. A fluorescent lamp ( 24 ) illuminates the feed culture bath.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fish and/or shellfish breedingapparatus for feeding fish and/or shellfish such as pearl oysters onland.

In pearl culture, one type of aquaculture, young pearl oysters are bredfor a fixed period of time to be raised to mother pearl oysters. Then, acore is transplanted to the interior of each mother oyster for forming apearl. While the mother oysters are raised in the sea for a fixed periodof time, pearl oysters transform the cores into pearls. Then, the pearlsare extracted from the interior of the mother oyster.

For breeding young pearl oysters for two to three months of developmentbefore the transplantation of cores, the young oysters are put into anaquarium filled with sterilized seawater. In addition, the aquarium issupplied with separately cultured plankton as food for the youngshellfish. The seawater becomes dirty with unconsumed feed and excretionof the young shellfish during the culture. The dirty seawater isperiodically replaced with sterilized seawater. Since the seawaterreplacement is performed on a periodic basis and on a large scale, it islaborious.

In the field of pearl culture, a large amount of pearl oysters have diedin course of culture in recent years due to a variety of oceanicenvironment-based causes such as oceanic contamination, seawaterwarming, and parasitic protozoan or viruses. This large amount of deadpearl oysters sharply reduced in the yield of pearl oysters and pearls.Thus, recently, stable aquaculture has become increasingly difficult inthe sea.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a stable fish and/orshellfish breeding apparatus and method.

To achieve the above object, the invention includes a method and anapparatus. The apparatus includes an aquarium for containing the fish orshellfish and water and a decomposition treating bath for decomposingwaste materials from the fish or shellfish such that water from theaquarium flows to the decomposition treating bath, and the decompositiontreating bath treats the water. The apparatus also includes a feedculture bath for culturing feed for the fish or shellfish. Treated waterfrom the decomposition bath is supplied to the feed culture bath.

The method includes providing an aquarium for containing the fish orshellfish and water, providing a decomposition treating bath, andconveying the water from the aquarium to the decomposition treating bath. The decomposition treating bath treats the water from the aquarium.The method also includes providing a feed culture bath for culturingfeed for the fish or shellfish and conveying water from thedecomposition treating bath to the feed culture bath. The method alsoincludes supplying water that includes feed from the feed culture bathto the aquarium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a fish and/or shellfishbreeding apparatus according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating an electrostaticallytreated air generator in the breeding apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an electrostaticallytreated water producing apparatus in the breeding apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an electric circuit diagram of a high voltage electrostaticfield generator in the breeding apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a fish and/or shellfishbreeding apparatus according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view schematically illustrating a breeding aquariumin the breeding apparatus of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a filtermaterial for the breeding apparatus of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a feed culturebath in the breeding apparatus of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Pearl oysters 11 belong to Bivalvia and are used as mother shellfish forcultured pearls. When a core is transplanted to the interior of a pearloyster 11, a pearl layer is formed on the surface of the core bymother-of-pearl secreted from the interior, and as a result, a pearl isproduced.

Next, a fish and/or shellfish breeding apparatus will be described.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a breeding aquarium 12 is formed of asynthetic resin material, glass, or the like into a box having anopening on the top. The aquarium 12 contains fifty to one hundred litersof breeding seawater. A plurality of cages 13, in which a plurality ofpearl oysters 11 are contained, are placed in the breeding aquarium 12.The pearl oysters 11 are bred or cultured in the breeding aquarium 12.

The amounts of the breeding seawater and the pearl oysters 11 areadjusted such that approximately one and one half to three liters ofbreeding seawater are provided for each pearl oyster 11. A first pump 14is located in the breeding aquarium 12 for pumping the breeding seawaterin the breeding aquarium 12. Calcium, iron and zinc are added to thebreeding aquarium 12 as minerals required for raising the pearl oysters11. These minerals are added such that their dissolved proportions tothe breeding seawater are in a range of 400 to 450 ppm for calcium; 0.1to 5 ppm for iron; and 0.5 to 5 ppm for zinc, in order to ensure thatthe pearl oysters 11 mature.

A first aerator 16 is located in the breeding aquarium 12. The firstaerator 16 is connected to an electrostatically treated air generator 27through a first air supply pipe 15. The electrostatically treated airgenerator 27 generates electrostatically treated air (electrostaticair), which is delivered from the first aerator 16 into the breedingaquarium 12. Thus, the breeding seawater in the breeding aquarium 12 isaerated by the electrostatically treated air generator 27.

Activated charcoal 17 packed in a net 18 is located in the breedingaquarium 12. The activated charcoal 17 has a deodorizing function, apurifying function, and an oxidation suppressing function. The activatedcharcoal 17 is porous, and microorganisms such as nitrifying bacteria,inhabit within its holes. The bacteria biologically decomposecontaminated substances or the like in the breeding seawater. Therefore,the breeding seawater in the breeding aquarium 12 is maintained in astable clean state. As the activated charcoal 17, binchotan charcoal isparticularly preferred.

A biological decomposition bath 19 is formed of a synthetic resinmaterial, glass, or the like and has a top opening. The biologicaldecomposition bath 19 is supplied with the breeding seawater from thebreeding aquarium 12. Nitrifying bacteria, such as nitrate bacteria andnitrite bacteria, inhabit the biological decomposition bath 19. Thebacteria biologically decompose ammonia, which is included in theexcretion of the pearl oysters 11 and other waste products in thebreeding seawater, to nitrate salt, so that decomposition-treatedseawater is produced from the breeding seawater. The contamination leveland turbidity of the decomposition-treated seawater are reduced.

Activated charcoal 17 packed in a net 18 is located in the biologicaldecomposition bath 19. The activated charcoal 17 has a deodorizingfunctions, a purifying functions, and an oxidation suppressingfunctions. Also, since useful microorganisms inhabit the activatedcharcoal 17, they biologically decompose contaminated substances and soon in the breeding seawater. Thus, the breeding seawater in the breedingaquarium 12 is maintained in a stable clean state. As the activatedcharcoal 17, binchotan charcoal is particularly preferred.

The biological decomposition bath 19 and the breeding. aquarium 12 arecoupled by way of a first circulation pipe 20, a second circulation pipe21 and a third circulation pipe 22. The first circulation pipe 20 hasone end connected to the first pump 14 in the breeding aquarium 12, andthe other end directed into the biological decomposition bath 19 fromthe opening of the biological decomposition bath 19. Then, the breedingseawater in the breeding aquarium 12 is pumped by the first pump 14,passed through the first circulation pipe 20, and supplied to thebiological decomposition bath 19.

Each of the second circulation pipe 21 and the third circulation pipe 22has one end connected to the biological decomposition bath 19 and theother end directed into the breeding aquarium 12 from the opening of thebreeding aquarium 12. Decomposition-treated seawater, which has beenpurified by the biological decomposition within the biologicaldecomposition bath 19, is returned to the breeding aquarium 12.

A feed culture bath 23 is formed of a synthetic resin material, glass,or the like and has an upper opening. The feed culture bath 23 issupplied with a feed liquid and some of the decomposition-treatedseawater. In the feed liquid, phytoplankton lives and serves as food forthe pearl oysters 11. The phytoplankton includes chaetoceros andpavlova. The chaetoceros and pavlova use nitrates produced by biologicaldecomposition and included in the decomposition-treated seawater as anutrient for growth and proliferation.

Before being injected into the feed culture bath 23, the chaetoceros andpavlova are subjected to stock culture, intermediate culture and massiveculture in this order until a predetermined culture concentration isachieved. The stock culture is a subculture, performed for one to twoweeks, for preserving seeds of chaetoceros and pavlova little by littlein order to prevent them from being exhausted. The intermediate culture,which is performed to slightly increase the culture concentration of thechaetoceros and pavlova proliferated by the stock culture within aculture solution, is carried out until the culture concentration reaches5,000,000 to 10,000,000 cells/ml.

In the stock culture and intermediate culture, the culture solution forculturing the chaetoceros and pavlova is prepared by adding nutritivesalts to artificial seawater. Components of the nutritive salts includesodium nitrate, disodium hydrogenphosphate, water glass, sodiumhydrogencarbonate, ethylenediamine, vitamins (thiamine hydrochloride,vitamin B12, biotin). A product named Kurewatto-32 manufactured byTeikoku Kagaku Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha may be used to provide thenutritive salts. The culture solution is prepared by combining thecomponents appropriated in accordance with the stock culture and theintermediate culture.

In this case, electrostatically treated air is aerated into the culturesolution for the chaetoceros and pavlova during the intermediateculture. This increases the rate at which the chaetoceros and pavlovaare cultured and stabilizes the culture.

The massive culture is performed to culture the feed liquid for thepearl oysters 11 and is carried out until the culture concentrationreaches 3,000,000 cells/ml. In this event, electrostatically treated airis aerated into the culture solution for the chaetoceros and pavlova.This increases the rate at which the chaetoceros and pavlova arecultured and stabilizes the culture. Then, feed liquid that has beencultured to a predetermined culture concentration by the massive cultureis injected into the feed culture bath 23.

Above the feed culture bath 23, a fluorescent lamp 24 is located forirradiating the feed culture bath 23 with light. Thus, with lightirradiated from the fluorescent lamp 24, the chaetoceros and pavlova cancarry out photosynthesis. The phytoplankton can grow and proliferatewith nitrate and photosynthesis. A mixed feed of chaetoceros and pavlovain liquid form is suitable for the culture of the pearl oysters 11.

A second aerator 26, which is connected to one end of the second airsupply pipe 25, is placed in the feed culture bath 23, and the secondair supply pipe 25 is connected to the electrostatically treated airgenerator 27. Then, electrostatically treated air generated by theelectrostatically treated air generator 27 is delivered F. from thesecond aerator 26 into the feed culture bath 23, so that the feed liquidwithin the feed culture bath 23 can be aerated.

The feed culture bath 23 and the biological decomposition bath 19 arecoupled through a fourth circulation pipe 28. One end of the fourthcirculation pipe 28 is inserted into the feed culture bath 23 throughthe upper opening, and the other end of the fourth circulation pipe 28,through a second pump 29, is inserted into the biological decompositionbath 19. Then, with the second pump 29, some of thedecomposition-treated seawater produced by the biological decompositionwithin the biological decomposition bath 19 is pumped and supplied intothe feed culture bath 23.

The feed culture bath 23 and the breeding aquarium 12 are coupledthrough a fifth circulation pipe 30. One end of the fifth circulationpipe 30 is connected to the side of the feed culture bath 23, and theother end of the fifth circulation pipe 30 is inserted into the breedingaquarium 12 through the upper opening of the breeding aquarium 12. Thefeed liquid, which contains phytoplankton cultured and proliferated inthe feed culture bath 23, is supplied to the breeding aquarium 12. Thus,the pearl oysters 11 in the breeding aquarium 12 can grow, and thephytoplankton within the feed liquid is used as food.

While the breeding seawater, the feed liquid, and some of thedecomposition-treated seawater are circulated into the breeding aquarium12, approximately one liter of water in the breeding aquarium 12evaporates per day. For this reason, electrostatic field treated water,which is produced by the electrostatic water producing apparatus 31(electrostatic water), is added to maintain the concentrations ofcomponents and the amount of water in the breeding aquarium 12 constant.

Thus, the fish and/or shellfish breeding apparatus 32 includes thebreeding aquarium 12, the biological decomposition bath 19, the feedculture bath 23, and the fluorescent lamp 24.

Next, the electrostatically treated air generator 27 will be described.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the electrostatically treated air generator 27includes a high voltage electrostatic field generator 33. The highvoltage electrostatic field generator 33, which is in the shape of box,is carried on a support base 34 positioned near the breeding apparatus32. The high voltage electrostatic field generator 33 is connected to apower supply, not shown, through a first connection line 35. A generator36 is carried on the support base 34 and positioned near the highvoltage electrostatic field generator 33. The generator 36 is connectedto the high voltage electrostatic generator 33 through a secondconnection line 37.

A fan 38 is located near the generator 36. Air forced by the fan 38 isdelivered to the generator 36 through a first air feed pipe 39. Then,the air within the generator 36 is exposed to an electrostatic fieldformed by the high voltage electrostatic field generator 33 forperforming an electrostatic field treatment.

One end of a second air feed pipe 40 is connected to the generator 36,and the other end is branched into a plurality of pipes, each of whichhas an air branch adjusting valve 41 connected thereto. The air branchadjusting valves 41 are connected to one end of first to third airsupply pipes 15, 25, 59, respectively, and the other ends are connectedto first to third aerators 16, 26, 42, respectively. Electrostaticallytreated air generated by the generator 36 is delivered into the secondair feed pipe 40, and the air branch adjusting valves 41 are opened, sothat the electrostatically treated air is discharged from the first tothird aerators 16, 26, 42 through the respective air supply pipes 15,25, 59.

Next, the electrostatically treated water producing apparatus 31 will bedescribed.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, an insulating base 43 is formed of anelectrically insulating material in the shape of a plate, and supportedby several columnar insulators 44. A tank 45 formed of polypropyleneresin or the like is carried on the insulating base 43. The tank 45 isprovided with a discharge port 46 on one side surface, so thatelectrostatically treated water in the tank 45 can be discharged.

A high voltage electrostatic field generator 33 constituting theelectrostatically treated water producing apparatus 31, which is formedin the shape of box, is carried on a carrier base 60 positioned near thebreeding apparatus 32. Then, the high voltage electrostatic fieldgenerator 33 is connected to a power supply, not shown, through a firstconnection line 35.

One end of the second connection line 37 is connected to an electrode47, which is formed of stainless steel or the like and has the shape ofscreen, and the other end of the second connection line 37 is connectedto the high voltage electrostatic field generator 33. The tank 45contains activated charcoal 17, water, and the electrode 47. Anelectrostatic field formed by the high voltage electrostatic fieldgenerator 33 is applied to the water. As a result, electrostaticallytreated water is produced. The activated charcoal 17, in turn, has adeodorizing functions, a purifying functions, an oxidation suppressingfunctions, and so on, so that the electrostatically treated water in thetank 45 is maintained in a stable and clean state.

Next, an electric circuit of the high voltage electrostatic fieldgenerator 33 will be described.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, a 100V alternating current power supplyterminal 48 is serially connected to a breaker 49, a power supply switch50 and a voltage adjuster 51. An indicator lamp 52 is connected inparallel with the voltage adjuster 51. The voltage adjuster 51 iscapable of adjusting a voltage through a variable terminal 53. A primarycoil 55 of a high voltage generating transformer 54 is connected inparallel with the voltage adjuster 51. A volt meter 56 is connected inparallel with the primary coil 55 of the high voltage generatingtransformer 54. One end of a secondary coil 57 of the high voltagegenerating transformer 54 is left open, while an output terminal 61 onthe other end is connected to a protection resistor 58 of approximately1 MΩ. The second connection line 37 is connected through this protectionresistor 58 to the generator 36 or the electrode 47.

As described above, one end of the secondary coil 57 of the high voltagegenerating transformer 54, on the output side, is left open. Therefore,no power flows to the output side of the secondary coil 57 of the highvoltage generating transformer 54, so that high voltage is only appliedto form a high voltage electrostatic field having multiplexed waveformsincluding harmonic components.

Then, after the variable terminal 53 is set at a predeterminedresistance in the voltage adjuster 51, the power switch 50 is turned onto light the indicator lamp 52 and generate a high voltage on the outputside of the secondary coil 57 of the high voltage generating transformer54. A high voltage electrostatic field is formed in the generator 36 orthe tank 45 by this high voltage.

The electrostatic field is a non-varying electrostatic field or avarying electrostatic field generated by the high voltage electrostaticfield generator 33. The non-varying electrostatic field is an electricfield having a linear waveform generated by a fixed voltage, while thevarying electrostatic field is an electrostatic field having analternating current waveform such as a sinusoidal wave, a rectangularwave, a saw-tooth wave, a multiplexed waveform, or the like. Among theseelectrostatic fields, an electric field having a multiplexed waveformhaving high harmonic components is preferred. The electric field havinga multiplexed waveform can be produced by an electric circuit usingsemiconductors or the like, in addition to the aforementioned electriccircuit having the high voltage generating transformer 54.

The electrostatic field having a multiplexed waveform including highharmonic components is produced by an electric circuit that includes ahigh voltage and high harmonic generating transformer in the electriccircuit. The multiplexed waveform is produced by combining sinusoidalwaves or the like of various wavelengths in a multiplexing manner. Avariety of high harmonic alternating current waveforms having suitablewavelengths are added with their phases shifted, and their waveforms areadded to form distortion on an alternating current waveform.

For performing the electrostatic field treatment, the electrostaticfield is preferably set at a voltage ranging from 1500 to 5000 volts.When the voltage is lower than 1500 volts, more time is consumed for theelectrostatic field treatment, thus causing an increase in breedingcost. In addition, the electrostatic field treatment is not sufficient,thereby failing to improve the function of the resultingelectrostatically treated air or electrostatically treated water. On theother hand, when the voltage exceeds 5000 volts, the electrostaticallytreated air or electrostatically treated water will be excessivelytreated in part.

The electrostatic field treating time is preferably set in a range of 4to 300 hours, and more preferably set in a range of 48 to 300 hours.

Next, a method of breeding the pearl oysters 11 using the breedingapparatus 32, i.e., a culturing method will be described.

First, a plurality of cages 13, in which a plurality of mother pearloysters 11 are contained, are placed in the breeding aquarium 12, whichis filled with breeding seawater. In this event, the number of pearloysters 11 and the breeding seawater are adjusted such that one and onehalf to three liters of the breeding seawater corresponds to one pearloyster 11. Also, the water temperature in the breeding aquarium 12 isset in a range of 13 to 25° C. A spherical core is transplanted to theinterior of each pearl oyster 11.

Further, the high voltage electrostatic field generator 33 of theelectrostatically treated air generator 37 is operated to generateelectrostatically treated air which has undergone the electrostaticfield treatment. Then, the electrostatically treated air is suppliedfrom the first aerator 16 into the breeding aquarium 12 through thefirst air supply pipe 15 at a rate of 8 liters/minute to aerate thebreeding seawater in the breeding aquarium 12. Also, since the activatedcharcoal 17 is located in the breeding aquarium 12, the breedingseawater is maintained in a stable, clean state by the deodorizingaction, purifying action, and oxidation suppressing action of theactivated charcoal 17. Further, microorganisms inhabiting the activatedcharcoal 17, such as nitrifying bacteria, decompose excretion and so onin the breeding seawater. Since approximately one liter of waterevaporates per day, electrostatically treated replacement water isadded.

Subsequently, a feed liquid of chaetoceros and pavlova, which hasreached a predetermined culture concentration of 3,000,000 cells/ml bythe massive culture, is injected into the feed culture bath 23. Then,two liters of feed liquid are supplied to the breeding aquarium 12through the fifth circulation pipe 30 four times per day at regularintervals, such that the culture concentration is in a range of2,000,000 to 3,000,000 cells/ml. Consequently, the pearl oysters 11 growand feed on the liquid food. At this time, the pearl oysters 11discharge feces and urine into the breeding seawater, causing thebreeding seawater to become turbid.

The breeding seawater is pumped by the first pump 14 in the breedingaquarium 12 through the first circulation pipe 20 and supplied to thebiological decomposition bath 19. Consequently, the nitric acid bacteriain the biological decomposition bath 19 carry out biologicaldecomposition for decomposing ammonia contained in the feces and urineof the pearl oysters 11 in the breeding seawater into nitrate to producedecomposition-treated seawater, which reduces the contamination leveland turbidity of the breeding seawater.

In this case, since the activated charcoal 17 is located in thebiological decomposition bath 19, the biological decomposition bath 19is cleaned and the biological decomposition is stable. Then, some of thedecomposition-treated seawater is returned into the breeding aquarium 12through the second and third circulation pipes 21, 22. As a result, thebreeding seawater within the breeding aquarium 12 is not contaminated orturbid, thus the probability that the pearl oysters 11 will suffer fromillness or die is reduced. Also, some of the decomposition-treatedseawater is pumped by the second pump 29 through the fourth circulationpipe 28 into the feed culture bath 23.

The chaetoceros and pavlova inhabit the feed culture bath 23. Inaddition, the feed culture bath 23 is irradiated with light from thefluorescent lamp 24. Thus, the chaetoceros and pavlova produce oxygen byphotosynthesis with the light and carbon dioxide. Moreover, since thechaetoceros and pavlova use nitrate in the decomposition-treatedseawater as a nutrient source, they grow and proliferate to serve asfeed liquid for the pearl oysters 11.

In this event, the feed culture bath 23 is supplied withelectrostatically treated air from the second aerator 26, as in the caseof the breeding aquarium 12, so that the feed liquid within the feedculture bath 23 is aerated. The culture of the chaetoceros and pavlovais thus stable, and the culturing speed is improved.

Then, the chaetoceros and pavlova are injected into the breedingaquarium 12 four times per day through the fifth circulation pipe 30.Since phytoplankton is included in the feed liquid, the pearl oysters 11can be raised and bred. The pearl oysters 11 eat the phytoplankton anddevelop.

Specifically, the breeding seawater in the breeding aquarium 12, thedecomposition-treated seawater in the biological decomposition bath 19,and the feed liquid in the feed culture bath 23 are coupled by a foodchain. In addition, since liquid circulates through the first to fifthcirculation pipes 20, 21, 22, 28, 30, the liquid is not exposed toexternal factors or generate any waste while they are circulating. It istherefore possible to prevent the pearl oysters 11 from dying orsuffering from illness due to external factors such as viruses andpathogenic bacteria, and to breed or culture the pearl oysters 11 in astable state for a long period.

Also, since the breeding seawater is circulated for reuse, a largesupply of seawater is not required. In other words, the pearl oysters 11can be readily bred without requiring large scale seawater handlingfacilities.

Further, while the pearl oysters 11 are cultured for 6 to 8 months, apearl layer is formed on the surface of the core transplanted to theinside of each pearl oyster 11, and a pearl is thus formed.

Advantages provided by the first embodiment are described below.

According to the breeding apparatus 32 of the first embodiment, thebreeding aquarium 12, the biological decomposition bath 19, and the feedculture bath 23 are joined through the first to fifth circulation pipes20, 21, 22, 28, 30, and are linked through a food chain of the pearloysters 11, the nitrifying bacteria, which use the pearl oyster waste asfood (biological decomposition), phytoplankton, which use decomposedsubstances produced by the biological decomposition as a nutrientsource, and the pearl oysters 11, which use the phytoplankton as food.Then, since the breeding seawater is purified during circulation, thebreeding seawater does not remain dirty, and the pearl oysters 11 areprevented from dying or suffering from illness. It is therefore possibleto breed or culture fish and/or shellfish in a stable manner for a longperiod. Further, since the breeding seawater is circulated for reuse, nowaste is produced, and no large scale facilities are required. In otherwords, the apparatus involved in the culture is simple and does notrequire facilities for supplying seawater.

According to the breeding apparatus 32 of the first embodiment, thebreeding aquarium 12 and the feed culture bath 23 are supplied with theelectrostatically treated air, so that the breeding seawater and thefeed liquid is aerated using the electrostatically treated air. For thisreason, the breeding seawater in the breeding aquarium 12 remains cleanto suppress the generation of pathogenic bacteria and to breed orculture the pearl oysters 11 in a stable state. In addition, thechaetoceros and pavlova in the feed culture bath 23 can be cultured in astable state, and the culturing speed is improved.

According to the breeding apparatus 32 of the first embodiment, theelectrostatically treated water is used to replace water that evaporatesfrom the breeding aquarium 12. For this reason, the breeding seawater inthe breeding aquarium 12 remains in a stable state to suppress thegeneration of pathogenic bacteria or the like and to breed or culturethe pearl oysters 11 in a stable state.

According to the breeding apparatus 32 of the first embodiment,activated charcoal 17 is located in the breeding aquarium 12 and thebiological decomposition bath 19. Therefore, impurities in the breedingseawater within the breeding aquarium 12 and the decomposition-treatedseawater within the biological decomposition bath 19 are adsorbed by thedeodorizing action, purifying action, oxidation suppressing action ofthe activated charcoal 17, making it maintaining a stable state.Further, microorganisms inhabiting the activated charcoal 17, such asnitrifying bacteria, biologically decompose waste products of the pearloysters 11 in the breeding seawater and decomposition-treated seawater,so that the breeding seawater and the decomposition-treated seawater areclean.

According to the breeding apparatus 32 of the first embodiment, theamount of breeding seawater injected into the breeding aquarium 12 isadjusted to be one and one half to three liters per pearl oyster 11. Thepearl oysters 11 thus do not suffocate and are permit to breed orculture in a stable state.

According to the breeding apparatus 32 of the first embodiment,nitrifying bacteria live in the biological decomposition bath 19. Thebacteria effect nitration, which decomposes ammonia in feces and urineof the pearl oysters 11 in the breeding seawater into nitrate. Thisdecomposes the feces and urine to naturally purify the dirty breedingseawater. Consequently, stable, decomposition-treated seawater isproduced without using chemicals and the breeding cost is reduced.

According to the breeding apparatus 32 of the first embodiment, pearlsare formed by breeding or culturing mother pearl oysters 11 for six toeight months after spherical cores are placed in the oysters 11.

According to the breeding apparatus 32 of the first embodiment, mineralsthat are required to raise the pearl oysters 11 are added to thebreeding aquarium 12. It is therefore possible to improve thedevelopment of the pearl oysters 11.

In the following, a second embodiment will be described only for thoseaspects that are differ from the first embodiment. In the secondembodiment, a large scale fish and/or shellfish breeding apparatus,i.e., a breeding factory 32, is provided.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the factory 32 is provided with an artificialseawater production/storage bath 62 for producing and storing artificialseawater for use as breeding seawater. The artificial seawater isproduced by dissolving a salt for artificial seawater intoelectrostatically treated water. MARINE ESSENCE (trademark of NihonKateiyo En Kabushiki Kaisha) is used as the salt for artificialseawater. Components of the Marine Essence include calcium, magnesium,potassium, sodium, chlorine, and sodium chloride. When Marine Essence isused, the artificial seawater is adjusted to have a chlorineconcentration in a range of 3.0 to 3.4%. The electrostatically treatedwater is supplied from an electrostatically treated water producingapparatus 31 positioned near the artificial seawater production/storagebath 62. Natural seawater may be used as the breeding seawater.

A first supply pump 63 is located in the artificial seawaterproduction/storage bath 62, and one end of a first pipe 64 is connectedto the first supply pump 63. The other end of the first pipe 64 isdirected into three breeding aquariums 12, which are positioned near theartificial seawater production/storage bath 62, as illustrated in FIG.6. Each of the breeding aquariums 12 is formed in a closed box havingthe capacity of ten tons. From the artificial seawaterproduction/storage bath 62, the breeding seawater is injected into therespective breeding aquariums 12 by the first supply pump 63, and aplurality of cages 13, in which a plurality of pearl oysters 11 arecontained, are placed therein, so that the pearl oysters 11 can be bredor cultured within the breeding aquariums 12. The number and capacity ofthe breeding aquariums 12 may be changed as appropriate in accordancewith the amount of the pearl oysters 11 to be cultured.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, a fluorescent lamp 24, which is different fromthe aforementioned light source, is located above the breeding aquariums12. The fluorescent lamp 24 illuminates the breeding aquariums 12. Also,calcium, iron and zinc are added to the breeding aquariums 12 asminerals.

A pair of submersible pumps 65 are located at opposing positions in eachof the breeding aquariums 12 to serve as a water flow generator. Thesubmersible pumps 65 cause a current in the breeding aquariums 12. Also,in each of the breeding aquariums 12, a water quality tester 66 islocated for measuring the quality of the breeding seawater. Based on theresult of a measurement by the water quality tester 66, the waterquality is managed corresponding to abnormal water quality and so on.

A decomposition layer 67 is further disposed on the bottom of each ofthe breeding aquariums 12. The decomposition layer 67 is formed of acoral layer 67 a, carbon powder layer 67 b, a silica sand layer 67 c,and a Bakuhanseki-stone layer 67 d layered from the top. As the carbonpowder, powders of binchotan charcoal are particularly preferred. Thecarbon powders and the Bakuhanseki-stone purify the breeding seawater.On the silica sand and coral, microorganisms for biologicallydecomposing contaminating substances, such as excretion and wastematerials are fixed. The coral is also suitable for maintaining thecalcium concentration in the breeding seawater. The proportions of therespective component layers in the decomposition layer 67 are preferablyset to 25 to 30% for the carbon power layer 67 b; 35 to 40% for thesilica sand layer 67 c; 15 to 20% for the Bakuhansekistone layer 67 d;and 15 to 20% for the coral layer 67 a to ensure that microorganisms arefixed and to purify the breeding seawater through the biologicaldecomposition.

Then, the contaminating substances deposited on the bottom of thebreeding aquarium 12 are cleaned by the decomposition layer 67, so thatthe quality of the breeding seawater is maintained. The laminating orderin the decomposition layer 67 and the component proportions may bechanged as required.

In addition, a temperature adjuster 67 is located near the breedingaquarium 12, such that the water temperature in the breeding aquarium 12is adjusted in a range of 13 to 25° C. As illustrated in FIG. 6, a pairof first filters 69 are located at positions above each of the breedingaquariums 12. One end of a second pipe 70 is connected to each of thefirst filters 69, and the other end is directed into the breedingaquarium 12. The second pipe 70 is connected to a second supply pump 71,such that the breeding seawater is pumped by the second supply pump 71and supplied to the first filters 69. In addition, one. end of firstdischarge pipe 72 is connected to each of the first filters 69, and theother end is directed into the breeding aquariums 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, a filtering material 73 is located in thefirst filter 69, and the filtering material 73 is formed of a carbonpowder layer 73 a, an oyster shell layer 73 b, a seed bacteria filteringmaterial layer 73 c, a coral (grain) layer 73 d, a coral stone layer 73e, an Izukalite-stone layer 73 f, a silica sand layer 73 g, a ceramicball layer 73 h, and a Bakuhanseki-stone layer 73 i laminated from thetop. The oyster shell layer 73 b, the coral (grain) layer 73 d, thecoral stone layer 73 e, the Izukalite-stone layer 73 f and the ceramicball layer 73 h add calcium and minerals to the breeding seawater, andmicroorganisms for biologically decomposing contaminating substancessuch as excretion and waste matters are fixed thereon. In place of theoyster shell layer 73 b, a layer serving as a calcium source such assurf clam or the like may be used. Powders of binchotan charcoal areparticularly preferred as the carbon powder.

The carbon powder and Bakuhanseki-stone also purify the breedingseawater. The seed bacteria filtering material layer 73 c is providedfor breeding the microorganisms within the filtering material 73, andthis layer purifies contaminated substances after the fixation ofmicroorganisms. Some of the breeding seawater supplied into the firstfilter 69 by the second supply pump 71 is filtered by the filteringmaterial 73 and discharged into the breeding aquarium 12 from the firstdischarge pipe 72.

At this time, the breeding seawater is purified by the filteringmaterial 73 and supplemented with calcium and minerals. The laminatingorder of the filtering layers in the filtering material 73 may bechanged as required.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, one end of a discharge pipe 74 is connected tothe electrostatically treated water producing apparatus 31, thedischarge pipe 74 is connected to a supply pump 75, and the other end isdirected into the respective breeding aquariums 12. Then,electrostatically treated water is supplied into the breeding aquariums12 as required.

One end of the third pipe 76 and one end of the second discharge pipe 77are connected to each of the breeding aquariums 12, and the other end ofthe second discharge pipe 77 is directed into a breeding seawaterstorage bath 78 installed in the factory. Then, some of the breedingseawater is discharged into the breeding seawater storage bath 78. Thethird pipe 76 is connected to a third supply pump 79, and the other endof the third pipe 76 is connected to a biological decomposition bath 19installed in the factory. In the biological decomposition bath 19, afiltering material 73 similar to that of the first filter 69 is located.

Some of the breeding seawater within the breeding aquarium 12 issupplied into the biological decomposition bath 19 by the third supplypump 79. Also, in the breeding seawater storage bath 78, a fourth supplypump 81 is located, and one end of the fourth pipe 82 is connected tothe fourth supply pump 81. The other end of the fourth pipe 82 isconnected to the third pipe 76. Some of the breeding seawater within thebreeding seawater storage bath 78 is supplied to the biologicaldecomposition bath 19 by the fourth supply pump 81.

One end of a third discharge pipe 83 and one end of a fourth dischargepipe 84 are connected to the lower end of the biological decompositionbath 19. The other end of the third discharging pipe 83 is connected tothe temperature adjuster 68 and is also directed into the breedingaquarium 12. The other end of the fourth discharge pipe 84 is directedinto a decomposition-treated seawater storage bath 85 installed in thefactory. Some of the breeding seawater supplied into the biologicaldecomposition bath 19 is filtered by the filtering material 73, andexcretion of the pearl oysters 11 and waste matters are decomposed bymicroorganisms such as bacteria capable of effecting nitration, whichinhabit the carbon powder layer 73 a, thereby producingdecomposition-treated seawater. Some of the decomposition-treatedseawater is supplied from the third discharge pipe 83 to the temperatureadjuster 68 and is adjusted to a water temperature appropriate forbreeding the pearl oysters 11 by the temperature adjuster 68. Theseawater is then discharged into the breeding aquarium 12.

Some of the decomposition-treated seawater is discharged from the fourthdischarge pipe 84 into the decomposition-treated seawater storage bath85. In the decomposition-treated seawater storage bath 85, a fifthsupply pump 86 is located, and one end of a fifth pipe 87 is connectedto the fifth supply pump 86. The other end of the fifth pipe 87 isconnected to the biological decomposition bath 19. Thedecomposition-treated seawater within the decomposition-treated seawaterstorage bath 85 is returned to the biological decomposition bath 19 bythe fifth supply pump 86.

In the decomposition-treated seawater storage bath 85, a sixth supplypump 88 is located, and one end of the sixth pipe 89 is connected to thesixth supply pump 88. The other end of the sixth pipe 89 is connected toa decomposition-treated seawater filter 90 installed in the factory. Thedecomposition-treated seawater filter 90 is provided with a filteringmaterial 73 similar in structure to the first filter 69. Then, some ofthe decomposition-treated seawater within the decomposition-treatedseawater storage bath 85 is supplied to the decomposition-treatedseawater filter 90 by the sixth supply pump 88.

One end of a fifth discharge pipe 91 and one end of a seventh pipe 92are connected to the lower end of the decomposition-treated seawaterfilter 90. The other end of the fifth discharge pipe 91 is directed intothe decomposition-treated seawater storage bath 85. Then, some of thedecomposition-treated seawater produced by the decomposition-treatedseawater filter 90 is discharged from the fifth discharge pipe 91 intothe decomposition-treated seawater storage bath 85.

The other end of the seventh pipe 92 is connected to a seventh supplypump 93 and branches into a plurality of pipes, which are connected to aplurality of feed culture baths 23 installed in the factory. Some of thedecomposition-treated seawater supplied from the biologicaldecomposition bath 19 is supplied into the feed culture baths 23 throughbiological decomposition by the decomposition-treated seawater filter90. As illustrated in FIG. 8, each of the feed culture baths 23 isformed of a clear synthetic resin material into a closed cylinder, andhas the capacity of 200 to 300 liters. The capacity and number of thefeed culture baths 23 may be changed appropriately according to theamount of phytoplankton to be cultured.

A plurality of feed stock culture baths 94 are installed near the feedculture baths 23, and chaetoceros and pavlova, which have undergonestock culture and intermediate culture, are massively cultured in thefeed stock culture baths 94. A fluorescent lamp 24 is locatedimmediately adjacent to each of the feed stock culture baths 94. Inplace of the fluorescent lamp 24, sunlight may be used. One end of aneighth pipe 95 is connected to the lower end of each of the feed stockculture baths 94, and the other end of the eighth pipe 95 is connectedto an eighth supply pump 96.

The chaetoceros and pavlova, which have been cultured to a predeterminedconcentration in the feed stock culture bath 94, are pumped by theeighth supply pump 96 and appropriately supplied to the respective feedculture baths 23 from the eighth pipe 95. In each of the feed culturebaths 23, decomposition-treated seawater, chaetoceros and pavlova aresupplied from the decomposition-treated seawater filter 90. Then, thefeed liquid is adjusted by culturing and proliferating the chaetocerosand pavlova, which use nitrate in the decomposition-treated seawater asa nutrient source. One end of a sixth discharge pipe 97 is connected tothe lower end of each of the feed culture baths 23, and the other endsare collectively connected to a feed storage bath 98.

Then, each of the feed culture baths 23 is supplied with thedecomposition-treated seawater to cause the feed liquid to overflow, sothat the feed liquid is collected into the feed storage bath 98 andstored. A stirrer 99 is located in the feed storage bath 98, so that thefeed liquid is stirred by the stirrer 99 for uniform distribution. Oneend of a ninth pipe 100 is connected to the lower end of the feedstorage bath 98, and the other end is connected to a feed measuring pot102 through a ninth supply pump 101. Then, the feed liquid is suppliedinto the feed measuring pot 102 by the ninth supply pump 101.

One end of a seventh discharge pipe 103 is connected to the feedmeasuring pot 102, and the other end is directed into the breedingaquarium 12. Then, the feed liquid in the feed culture bath 23 isperiodically supplied to the breeding aquarium 12 in the fixed amountthrough the feed storage bath 98 and the feed measuring pot 102. Theamount of supplied feed liquid and supply intervals are changedappropriately depending on the breeding conditions of the pearl oysters11.

Since an aerator 104 connected to the electrostatically treated airgenerator 27 is directed into the breeding aquarium 12, the artificialseawater production/storage bath 62, the breeding seawater storage bath78, the biological decomposition bath 19, the decomposition-treatedseawater storage bath 85, and the feed culture bath 23,electrostatically treated air can be discharged into the respectivebaths. Thus, the liquids within the respective baths can be aerated.

Now, a description follows of a method of breeding the pearl oysters 11using the breeding apparatus 32, i.e., a culturing method.

First, artificial seawater is injected from the artificial seawaterproduction/storage bath 62 into the breeding aquariums 12, and aplurality of cages 13, in which a plurality of mother shellfish, i.e.,pearl oysters 11 are contained, are placed therein. The watertemperature in the breeding aquariums 12 is adjusted by the temperatureadjuster 68 to a range of 13 to 25° C. For example, the watertemperature is adjusted in a range of 20 to 24° C. to activate andstabilize physiological activities of the pearl oysters 11, whereas thewater temperature is adjusted in a range of 13 to 20° C. to suppress thephysiological activities of the pearl oysters 11. Spherical cores havebeen transplanted inside of the pearl oysters 11. In addition, thefluorescent lamp 24 above the breeding aquarium 12 is turned on and offto simulate the cycle of day and night to adjust the growth of the pearloysters 11.

Subsequently, the feed liquid is supplied from the feed measuring pot102 into the respective breeding aquariums 12. Thus, the pearl oysters11 develop and use the feed liquid as food. At this time, the pearloysters 11 discharge feces and urine into the breeding seawater, and thebreeding seawater becomes turbid. Excretions and wastes in the breedingaquarium 12 are decomposed by nitrifying bacteria in the decomposinglayer 67 within the breeding aquarium 12, thereby cleaning the breedingseawater. Approximately 1.6 to 2% of water is decreased per day byevaporation from the breeding aquarium 12. For this reason, an amount ofelectrostatically treated water corresponding to the decreased amount isreplaced.

A pair of submersible pumps 65 cause current flow in the breedingaquarium 12 at a rate of 5 to 20 cm/sec. For promoting metabolicactivities of the pearl oysters 11, the flow rate is preferably in arange of 10 to 20 cm/sec. This water flow causes the inside of thebreeding aquarium 12 to be closer to the conditions in the sea, so thatthe growth of the pearl oysters 11 is activated. Also, since the feedliquid supplied into the breeding aquarium 12 is stirred, the feedliquid is uniformly distributed in the breeding aquarium 12 to uniformlysupply the pearl oysters 11 with the feed. In addition, the breedingseawater within the breeding aquarium 12 can be efficiently delivered tothe first filter 69. The quality of the breeding seawater is managed bythe water quality tester 66.

Next, some of the breeding seawater in the breeding aquarium 12 ispumped by the second supply pump 71 and supplied to the first filter 69.Consequently, excretion and waste in the breeding seawater is purifiedwhile it passes through the filtering material 73. Also, calcium andminerals are added to the breeding seawater. Furthermore, the filteringmaterial 73 is formed using materials that grow in the sea and in aplurality of layers, and a variety of microorganisms are fixed to thelayered materials. Therefore, as the breeding seawater passes throughthe filtering material 73, it becomes nearly the same as naturalseawater. Further, the breeding seawater is retained in the first filter69, and the breeding seawater passing through the filtering material 73is not mixed with the breeding seawater before passing through thefiltering material 73, and is discharged into the breeding aquarium 12from the first discharge pipe 72 of the first filter 69. Thus, thequality of the breeding seawater in the breeding aquarium 12 ismaintained in a clean state through the management of the water qualityby the water quality meter 66 and the first filter 69.

Next, some of the breeding seawater is discharged from the seconddischarge pipe 77 of the breeding aquarium 12 to the breeding seawaterstorage bath 78. Simultaneously, some of the breeding seawater in thebreeding aquarium 12 is supplied into the biological decomposition bath19 by the third supply pump 79. Then, for adjusting the amount ofbreeding seawater within the biological decomposition bath 19, breedingseawater in the breeding seawater storage bath 78 is supplied to thebiological decomposition bath 19 by the fourth supply pump 81 asrequired.

Some of the breeding seawater supplied into the biological decompositionbath 19 passes through the filtering material 73, and is biologicallydecomposed to produce decomposition-treated seawater. Likewise, in thiscase, since the biological decomposition bath 19 is provided withfiltering material 73, which is similar to that of the first filter 69,the quality of the decomposition-treated seawater is maintained, and theseawater supplemented with calcium and other minerals by the filteringmaterial 73. Some of the decomposition-treated seawater is supplied fromthe third discharge pipe 83 to the temperature adjuster 68, whichadjusts the water temperature to be appropriate for the breeding of thepearl oysters 11. Then, the seawater is discharged into the breedingaquarium 12.

Further, some of the decomposition-treated seawater is discharged fromthe fourth discharge pipe 84 into the decomposition-treated seawaterstorage bath 85. Then, some of the decomposition-treated seawater in thedecomposition-treated seawater storage bath 85 is returned to thebiological decomposition bath 19 by the fifth supply pump 86 and issupplied to the decomposition-treated seawater filter 90 by the sixthsupply pump 88.

Subsequently, some of the decomposition-treated seawater supplied intothe decomposition-treated seawater filter 90 passes through thefiltering material 73 and is biologically decomposed to again producedecomposition-treated seawater. Since the decomposition-treated seawaterfilter 90 is provided with filtering material 73 similar to that of thefirst filter 69, the quality of the decomposition-treated seawater ismaintained, and the seawater is supplemented with calcium and otherminerals by the filtering material 73. Some of the decomposition-treatedseawater is discharged from the fifth discharge pipe 91 into thedecomposition-treated seawater storage bath 85. Further, thedecomposition-treated seawater is supplied into the feed culture bath 23by the seventh supply pump 93. Then, the breeding seawater is convertedinto decomposition-treated seawater, which has low contamination andturbidity, through three treatments of the biological decompositionprocess. Then, the treated seawater is supplied to the feed culture bath23. Also, the breeding seawater that is returned to the breedingaquarium 12 is returned in a clean state and is supplemented withcalcium and other minerals.

The feed culture baths 23 are supplied with chaetoceros and pavlova,which have been cultured to a predetermined concentration in the feedstock culture bath 94, by the eighth supply pump 96. The feed culturebaths 23 are also supplied with decomposition-treated seawater. Further,the respective feed culture baths 23 are irradiated with sunlight. Afluorescent lamp 24 may be provided, as indicated by two-dot chain linesin FIG. 1, such that the fluorescent lamp 24 is illuminated when theamount of sunshine is low, during a rainy season or the like. Thechaetoceros and pavlova produce oxygen by photosynthesis with the lightand carbon dioxide. In addition, since the chaetoceros and pavlova usenitrate in the decomposition-treated seawater as a nutrient source, theycan grow and proliferate, and the feed liquid can be cultured by them.

Subsequently, the feed liquids overflowing from the respective feedculture baths 23 are collected into the feed storage bath 98 and stored,and the feed liquid is uniformly distributed by the stirrer 99 in thefeed storage bath 98. The feed liquid is supplied from the feed storagebath 98 to the feed measuring pot 102 by the ninth supply pump 101, andthe feed liquid is periodically supplied in fixed amounts into thebreeding aquariums 12 from the feed measuring pot 102.

Consequently, the pearl oysters 11 feed on the chaetoceros and pavlova,so that the pearl oysters 11 develop.

According to the second embodiment, the following advantages areprovided.

The breeding aquariums 12, the breeding seawater storage bath 78, thebiological decomposition bath 19, the decomposition-treated seawaterstorage bath 85, the decomposition-treated seawater filter 90, the feedculture baths 23, and the breeding aquariums 12 are coupled through aplurality of pipes, and the breeding seawater, the decomposition-treatedseawater, and the feed liquid are circulated among them. Also, theseparts are linked through the food chain of the pearl oysters 11, thenitrifying bacteria that use feces and urine of the pearl oysters 11 asfeed (biological decomposition), phytoplankton using decomposed andtreated substances by the biological decomposition as a nutrient source,and the pearl oysters 11 using the phytoplankton as feed. It istherefore possible to culture the pearl oysters 11 within a closedfactory on land with reduced waste discharged from the factory.

Additionally, in conventional pearl oyster culturing i.e., pearlculturing, cores are transplanted into the pearl oysters 11, andthereafter the pearl oysters 11 are cultured in a culture raft or thelike installed in the sea. The feed for such pearl oysters 11 isplankton, which naturally proliferates and lives in the sea. Thus, thepearl oysters 11 are also cultured within the sea, and the pearlculturing has been the primary industries largely affected byenvironmental factors such as oceanic environmental characteristics,weather, variations in the sea circumstance, disease, and injuriousinsects.

However, in the second embodiment, the pearl oysters 11 are cultured inthe breeding aquariums 12 within the land-based factory, and the pearloysters 11 are supplied with living feed (chaetoceros and pavlova). Forthis reason, it is possible to culture the pearl oysters 11 and conducthigh-level production management for the pearl oysters 11 in a stablemanner without depending on external factors such as the sea conditionsand environmental factors. Thus, culturing pearl oysters 11 can beoperated as a secondary industries.

In the breeding apparatus 32, that which is artificially supplied fromthe outside includes only light, the filtering material 73, nutrientsalt and salt for artificial seawater during the stock culture andintermediate culture, so that the production costs are low in theculture.

The temperature of the breeding seawater in the breeding aquariums 12can be adjusted. It is therefore possible to adjust the physiologicalactivities of the pearl oysters 11 and efficiently raise the pearloysters 11.

Since the coral layer 67 a and oyster shell layer 73 b are included inthe decomposition layer 67 and the filtering material 73, mineralsrequired to raise the pearl oysters 11 can be automaticallysupplemented.

When the first filter 69, the biological decomposition bath 19 and thedecomposition-treated seawater filter 90 are stopped, the breedingseawater can be biologically decomposed by the decomposition layer 67within the breeding aquarium 12.

The conditions inside the breeding aquarium 12 can be made nearly thesame as oceanic conditions by the pair of the submersible pumps 65, sothat the growth of the pearl oysters 11 can be activated. Also, the feedliquid can be uniformly distributed to uniformly supply all the pearloysters 11 with food. In addition, the breeding seawater within thebreeding aquarium 12 can be efficiently delivered to the first filter 69to efficiently carry out the biological decomposition of the breedingseawater and effectively maintain the water quality.

Since the water quality tester 66 is located in the breeding aquarium12, the quality of the breeding seawater can be measured to maintain thewater quality.

The temperature of some of decomposition-treated seawater from thebiological decomposition bath 19 is adjusted by the temperature adjuster68 to be appropriate for the growth of the pearl oysters 11. It istherefore possible to adjust the physiological activities of the pearloysters 11 to create a stable culture.

The breeding seawater is biologically decomposed three times in thefirst filter 69, the biological decomposition bath 19 and thedecomposition-treated seawater filter 90 to producedecomposition-treated seawater, which has a low contamination andturbidity. It is therefore possible to prevent contamination of the feedculture bath 23 and to have a stable culture of chaetoceros and pavlova.Also, the breeding seawater returned to the breeding aquarium 12 can becleaned to produce a stable culture of the pearl oysters 11.

Since the fluorescent lamp 24 is located above the breeding aquarium 12,day and night can be simulated by the fluorescent lamp 24 to adjust thegrowth of the pearl oysters 11.

The respective embodiments may be modified in the following manner.

In the respective embodiments, the breeding aquarium 12 may be used toraise abalone, flatfish, oyster, scallop, prawn, or the like, in whichcase, microorganisms in the biological decomposition bath 19, planktonin the feed culture bath 23, environment in the breeding aquarium 12,and so on may be changed to adapt to their particular environment. Inthis case, the fish and/or shellfish are stably cultured for a longperiod.

In the first embodiment, sunlight may be irradiated to the feed culturebath 23 without using an artificial light source such as the fluorescentlamp 24. Also, artificial light and sunlight may be used in combinationsuch that the sunlight is used in the daytime and artificial light suchas the fluorescent lamp 24 is used during the night. In this case, thechaetoceros and pavlova in the feed culture bath 23 can grow as they usedecomposed components of feces and urine as food, and carry outphotosynthesis with sunlight and carbon dioxide.

In the respective embodiments, only one of chaetoceros and pavlova maybe cultured as food for the pearl oysters 11. In this case, the pearloysters 11 can also be bred.

In the respective embodiments, the supply of electrostatically treatedair may be omitted for at least one of the breeding aquarium 12, theartificial seawater production/storage bath 62, the breeding seawaterstorage bath 78, the biological decomposition bath 19, thedecomposition-treated seawater storage bath 85 and the feed culture bath23. In this case, the pearl oysters 11 can be bred in the breedingaquarium 12, and chaetoceros and pavlova can be cultured in the feedculture bath 23.

In the first embodiment, the activated charcoal 17 may be omitted in thebreeding aquarium 12 and the biological decomposition bath 19.Alternatively, the activated charcoal 17 may be disposed in one of thebreeding aquarium 12 and the biological decomposition bath 19. In thiscase, the breeding seawater can be biologically decomposed in thebiological decomposition bath 19.

In the respective embodiments, the electrostatically treated watersupplied to the breeding aquarium 12 may be replaced with sterilizedwater without undergoing the electrostatic field treatment. In thiscase, water can be added to the breeding aquarium 12 to compensate forevaporation.

In the first embodiment, the decomposition layer 67 may be disposed inthe breeding aquarium 12.

In the second embodiment, a stirrer may be used as a current generatorin the breeding aquarium 12. Alternatively, current flow may be manuallygenerated.

In the first embodiment, the breeding aquarium 12 may be provided withthe first filter 69, and the decomposition-treated seawater filter 90may be positioned between the biological decomposition bath 19 and thefeed culture bath 23. Alternatively, only one of the filter 69 and thedecomposition-treated seawater filter 90 may be used. In this case, thebreeding seawater may be biologically decomposed a larger number oftimes to clean the decomposition-treated seawater.

In the second embodiment, one of the first filter 69 and thedecomposition-treated seawater filter 90 may be omitted.

In the respective embodiments, the breeding apparatus 32 may be used tobreed young pearl oysters 11 for two to three years to raise mothershellfish.

In the first embodiment, another fluorescent lamp 24 may be locatedabove the breeding aquarium 12 to irradiate the breeding aquarium 12with light.

In the first embodiment, the submersible pumps 65 may be located in thebreeding aquarium 12 to generate a current in the breeding seawater. Inthis case, the inside of the breeding aquarium 12 can also be madenearly the same as the ocean to activate the growth of the pearl oysters11. In addition, the feed liquid can be uniformly distributed touniformly supply all the pearl oysters 11 with the feed.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for breeding fish or shellfish comprising: an aquarium for containing the fish or shellfish and water; a decomposition treating bath for decomposing waste materials from the fish or shellfish, wherein water from the aquarium flows to the decomposition treating bath, and the decomposition treating bath treats the water; and a feed culture bath for culturing feed for the fish or shellfish, wherein treated water from the decomposition bath is supplied to the feed culture bath.
 2. The breeding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an aerator for aerating the water in the aquarium, wherein the aerator electrostatically treats air with an electrostatic field, and the aerator aerates the water in the aquarium with the electrostatically treated air.
 3. The breeding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an aerator for aerating the water in the feed culture bath, wherein the aerator electrostatically treats air with an electrostatic field, and the aerator aerates the water in the feed culture bath with the electrostatically treated air.
 4. The breeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein carbon is located in the aquarium and the feed culture bath.
 5. The breeding apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the carbon is activated charcoal.
 6. The breeding apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the activated charcoal includes binchotan charcoal.
 7. The breeding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pipe extending between the aquarium and the decomposition bath, a pipe extending between the decomposition bath and the feed culture bath, and a pipe extending between the feed culture bath and the aquarium, wherein water is circulated through the pipes from the aquarium to the decomposition bath and from the decomposition bath to the feed culture bath and from the feed culture bath to the aquarium.
 8. The breeding apparatus according, to claim 1, further comprising a water circulation path extending, from the aquarium to the decomposition bath and from the decomposition bath to the feed culture bath and from the feed culture bath to the aquarium, wherein water circulates along, the path.
 9. The breeding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a filter for filtering the water in the aquarium.
 10. The breeding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising nitrifying bacteria located in the decomposition treating bath, wherein the nitrifying bacteria decompose ammonia, which is included in the waste of the fish or shellfish, to nitrate.
 11. The breeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the feed includes phytoplankton, which use nitrate as a nutrient source.
 12. The breeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the aquarium includes a water flow generator for generating a current.
 13. The breeding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an artificial light source for illuminating the feed culture bath.
 14. The breeding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the aquarium include a decomposition layer, for improving the quality of the water in the aquarium.
 15. A method of raising fish or shellfish comprising the steps of: providing an aquarium for containing the fish or shellfish and water; providing a decomposition treating bath; conveying the water from the aquarium to the decomposition treating bath, wherein the decomposition treating bath treats the water from the aquarium; providing a feed culture bath for culturing feed for the fish or shellfish; conveying water from the decomposition treating bath to the feed culture bath; and supplying water that includes feed from the feed culture bath to the aquarium.
 16. The method of raising fish or shellfish according to claim 15, further comprising adding electrostatically treated water to the aquarium to compensate for evaporation.
 17. The method of raising fish or shellfish according to claim 15, further comprising the step of forming a food chain wherein the decomposition treating bath is supplied with nutrients from the aquarium and the feed culture bath is supplied with nutrients from the decomposition treating bath and the aquarium is supplied with nutrients from the feed culture bath.
 18. The method of raising fish or shellfish according to claim 15, further comprising the step of treating waste from the fish or shellfish in the decomposition treating bath and treating waste from the decomposition treating bath in the feed culture bath.
 19. The method of raising fish or shellfish according to claim 15, further comprising the step of adding minerals to the aquarium for the fish or shellfish to consume.
 20. The method of raising fish or shellfish according to claim 15, further comprising the step of illuminating the feed culture bath.
 21. The method of raising fish or shellfish according to claim 15, further comprising the step of culturing bacteria in the decomposition treating bath such that the bacteria decompose waste from the fish or shellfish.
 22. The method of raising fish or shellfish according to claim 15, further comprising the step of treating air with an electrostatic field, and aerating the water in the aquarium with the electrostatically treated air.
 23. The method of raising fish or shellfish according to claim 15, further comprising the step of treating air with an electrostatic field, and aerating the water in the feed culture bath with the electrostatically treated air.
 24. The method of raising fish or shellfish according to claim 15, further comprising the step of forming a circulation path from the aquarium to the decomposition treating bath and from the decomposition treating bath to the feed culture bath and from the feed culture bath to the aquarium and circulating water along the path.
 25. The method of raising fish or shellfish according to claim 15, further comprising the step of culturing phytoplankton in the feed culture bath. 